Prescription and magnifying glassWith the filing of two class action lawsuits, one against Walgreens and Costco, and one against CVS, in two federal district courts on August 6, pharmacies find themselves in a perplexing situation (yet again). For these suits were filed not by those who suffered from the over-dispensing of opioids, but by chronic pain patients who were denied opioid medication by pharmacies.

On July 23, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the issuance of a Warning Letter to the manufacturer of certain products containing cannabidiol (CBD). Specifically, the FDA provided a laundry list of examples where Curaleaf, Inc. (Curaleaf) made unsubstantiated claims on its website and on social media “that the products treat cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, opioid withdrawal, pain and pet anxiety, among other conditions or diseases.” The FDA considers Curaleaf’s actions as the “illegal selling of unapproved products,” pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.